Cebu City in the Philippines has numerous tourist spots to be delighted with in this developing but considered the first city established by the conquerors, the Spaniards in the 1500s.
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| Cebu City's places to see |
Historical Places to visit
These places stated below are so close to each other that walking is more preferable way to explore them.
Best time to start visiting these is in the morning. So you can end the tour at noon. That's enough already.
Taxi can be considered as the best vehicle to tour around the small city of Cebu as the taxis are metered and the drivers offer a city-tour deal that you just need to negotiate with the price.
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Basilica de Sto. Niño de Cebu
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Basilica de Sto. Niño de Cebu
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1. Basilica de Sto. Niño de Cebu
This Catholic church is considered to be the oldest church in the Philippines dating around 1500s when the Spaniards were colonizing ancient Filipinos by propagating Christianism. The child figure of Jesus, Sto. Nino, which was given by the Spaniards is still existing and a lot of Catholics and/or tourists are paying a visit, asking for His intercession to grant their prayers or understanding more about the history of Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
in the central area of Cebu, near Pier, Colon St. and Carbon Market.
from SM City, you can ride
12G or
12I and alight at the church. It will take around 20 minutes.
Fare: 7 Php
1. For less crowd, visit on weekdays, usually 9am-4pm.
2. To witness the devotion of Cebuano Catholics to Sto. Nino, be there during Sinulog Festival, usually the start of the 2nd week of January every year. They have their 9-day devotion. Be amazed of their unity in Christ. But, expect that it is overly crowded.
3. Do not wear shorts and/or skin-revealing top. However, they can lend you a cloth to cover the skin. It is a religious place that needed respect.
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| Magellan's Cross and the ceiling painting |
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| Magellan's Cross and Sto. Nino Church in Plaza Sugbo |
2. Magellan's Cross
This cross is a Christian relic which is considered to be given by Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon of Cebu as a sign of propagating Christianism to the Filipinos in 1521.
It is in Plaza Sugbo just beside the Basilica de Sto. Nino Cebu, in front of the school and the city hall.
from SM City, you can ride
12G or
12I and alight at the church. It will take around 20 minutes. (Click the jeepney code for a comprehensive list of the route.)
Fare: 7 Php
Buy candles from the senior praying ladies as they are still working hard to earn a living. Then you can pray all your wishes to the said old cross.
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| My brother and his family posing in Plaza Independencia when I toured them in Cebu |
3. Plaza Independencia
It is a big park or 'plaza' or a square where you can just chill for a moment and to see some events in there. As you go further, you will see a big enclosed wall which is the Fort San Pedro.
Along M.J. Cuenco Ave. near Pier 3., a 5-minute walk from Basilica de Sto. Nino by traversing Magallanes St.
From SM City, ride
12I as it will pass by pier and Plaza Independencia
Tip:
Be careful while walking from the church to Plaza Independencia as there are a lot of street children begging for some money and food. Be vigilant all the time!
4. Fort San Pedro
This fort, which is now a museum, was a barricade from other foreign invaders of Cebu during the Spanish colonization in 1500s. It is like the Fort Santiago of Manila.
in Plaza Independencia near Pier 3, a 5-minute walk from Basilica de Sto. Nino by traversing Magallanes St.
How to get there:
From SM City, ride
12I as it will pass by pier and Plaza Independencia
Entrance fee:
30 Php
Operation hours:
8am - 7pm
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| Museo Sugbo entrance |
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| Inside Museo Sugbo or Sugbo Museum |
5. Sugbo Museum
This is a historical and art and culture museum which was before a jail in the Spanish era.
along M.J. Cuenco Ave. almost across CPILS (English Academy) near Cebu Technological University (CTU)
ride any of these jeepneys:
02B,
03A,
03B,
03L,
10H and
22D. (Click the jeepney code for a comprehensive list of the route.)
If you are coming from south bus terminal, ride 02B and 10H.
If you are coming from Mabolo area, near Mabolo Church, ride any of these: 03A, 03B and 03L.
If you are coming from SM City, ride 22D.
Take note Sugbo Museum is almost across CPILS (English Academy) and before you reach Cebu Technological University and Plaza Independencia - if you are coming from Mabolo and SM City.
Student can have a discount if a valid ID is presented.
1. It is better to have a tour guide which is free of charge.
2. Allocate an hour or so if you want to be fully aware of Cebu's history.
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| Posing in front of Yap-San Diego Ancestral House during Sinulog 2017 |
6.Yap- San Diego Ancestral House
This house is considered to be one of the oldest houses in Cebu owned by the family of Yap-San Diego. The owners have not given a total renovation of the house. So, you can definitely see what are the things inside their ancestral house.
in Parian, Cebu. near Parian Fire Station and The Heritage of Cebu Monument.
a 15-minute walk from Basilica de Sto. Nino de Cebu.
from Mabolo Church near SM City, ride 03A, 03G and alight at Shamrock Pastry pasalubong store and just walk a few blocks going to Parian.
Allotment time:
15-30 minutes
1. Be careful in walking on their 2nd floor as it is brittle.
2. Put mosquito repellant on your skin.
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| Quick visit to the Heritage of Cebu Monument during Sinulog 2017 |
7. The Heritage of Cebu Monument
A big monument depicting the story of Cebu from the Spanish colonization era.
Location:
in Parian, Cebu. near Parian Fire Station and The Yap-San Diego Ancestral House.
a 15-minute walk from Basilica de Sto. Nino de Cebu.
from Mabolo Church near SM City, ride 03A, 03G and alight at Shamrock Bakery, a pasalubong store famous for otap, and just walk a few blocks going to Parian.
Entrance fee:
none
The mountain side of the city
These places below, except the Taoist Temple, is located near Busay area. But the starting place of all of these is in Lahug.
Best time to visit them is around 3pm until sunset. This can be itinerary for your afternoon tour.
Best way to get to these places is by riding a 'habal-habal' or the motorcycle. From Ayala Mall or SM City, ride 04L jeepney and then alight near JY Square mall. This is where you can see a lot of motorcycle drivers.
Another option is to ride the taxi and negotiate for the price with the taxi driver for the mountain-side tour but it can cost around 1000 Php.
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| Taoist Temple in Cebu |
1. Taoist Temple
The Taoist temple for the Chinese-Filipino Taoists which is on the hill top, overlooking Cebu City.
Location:
in Beverly Hills Subdivision in Lahug.
How to get there:
by jeep and habal-habal
1.From Ayala Mall or SM City, ride 04L jeepney and then alight at these stops:
a. near JY Square mall
b. Sudlon
Fare: 7 Php
2. then, ride a 'habal-habal' or motorcycle
Fare: around 50 Php + waiting time fee if you do not want to hail another habal-habal. Just negotiate with the driver.
Entrance fee:
none
Tips:
1. Taking picture of the sacred place is prohibited. There are signs indicated where it is not allowed.
2. Respect the temple.
Allotment time:
30 minutes
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| Temple of Leah's fountain and facade. |
2. Temple of Leah
This spot feels like you are in Greece for its architectural style. It was built as a loving memory of the owner's wife, Leah. Overlooking in this place is the city of Cebu. Still, it is under construction but people can explore the temple.
Location:
in Busay
Entrance fee:
50 Php
Senior citizens and students can get a discount upon presenting a valid ID.
Tips:
1. Best to be here to catch the sun set.
2. Pictorial for pre-nuptial shoot or the like can be done here but with payment.
3. Sirao Peak
A short climb to get a glimpse of the coastal of Cebu and Mactan Island.
Location
in Sirao.. near Sirao Gardens
Entrance fee:
none
Tips:
1. For climbers, the best time to reach this is before sunrise.
2. For tourists who are not in the mood to climb, this is not necessary.
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| Sirao Garden' blooms |
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| Mandatory picture taken at Sirao Garden |
4. Sirao Gardens (The Little Amsterdam)
This garden is like in Amsterdam. The flowers and plants are at their best maybe around October to February when the season is not too rainy and hot.
Location:
in Sirao .. near the starting point of the climb to Sirao Peak.
Entrance fee:
30 Php
Tip:
1. Protect yourself from the sun as there is no shade.
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| Tops picnic area |
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| Seeing the metropolitan of Cebu at the TOPS |
5. TOPS
TOPS is a place to see Cebu City at the top of the hill side. Spend some time with your family and friends by enjoying the view and eating some picnic foods and beers.
Location:
in Busay
Best time
sunset to night time
Entrance fee:
100 Php
Tips:
1. There is a newly-built restaturant, TOPS Restaurant if in case you want to dine.
2. Bring a sweater as the temperature is low, especially at night.
3. There is a parking area.
4. Food stores and souvenir shops can be found there.
That ends your Cebu City day and afternoon to night tour.
I hope you enjoy reading my post and this will help you plan your itinerary.
You can also check my other links about Cebu:
- Travel to Bacolod from Cebu by bus and ferry.
- Catch the sunrise or sunset at Osmena Peak in Dalaguete, Cebu
- Experience scuba diving in Mactan Island
- Try Cebu City's best places to eat
and other nearby islands:
- Tour around Mambukal Resort in Negros Occidental near Bacolod
- Learn the art and history of Silay City in Negros Occidental
- Get yourself a Philippine passport in Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Bacolod
- Travel to Guimaras from Cebu, Bacolod or Iloilo by bus, ferry and boat
- Island hop and tour to Guimaras Island
- Discover Kalanggaman Island
- Stay in Bacolod's hotels that are near to DFA -Bacolod in Robinsons Mall
and in Manila:
- Ride the bus from NAIA terminal 3 in Manila going to Alabang
- Get birth, marriage and/or birth certificate and also CENOMAR via online
- Travel to the Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija
- Stay in Lucena City in Quezon Province
If you want to see my international trip, check this link:
Ready your itinerary in going around Cebu, set your heart and mind for the trip, go forth and explore, and share your experience to others.
Much love and appreciation,
Sarah
Labels: Cebu, island hopping, Philippines, travel
